A Case Study in Language Consulting – Global LT

The Challenge
A division of an OEM, headquartered in southeastern Michigan, had a number of employees who needed language training in Portuguese in preparation for an international assignment at a new plant in Parana, Brazil.
Following the company’s standard procedure, Human Resources allowed employees to enroll in Portuguese language training offered by a number of language schools that had been servicing the OEM previously.

Problems began to appear when the first employees started arriving in Brazil after several months of language training. Many employees who had been studying Portuguese found they did not have the language skill required to deal with even simple daily activities. Furthermore, the level of success with language skills experienced by employees seemed to vary by school.

Confronted with this problem, Human Resources admitted they had not been able to evaluate the different language schools adequately prior to the start of training for these employees. As a result, employees did not
necessarily receive language training that was appropriate for their individual level of proficiency or needs. The progress reports on employees issued by the various language schools were often not detailed or informative.

The Solution
Human Resources requested that Global LT, one of the language training providers whose students were experiencing the greatest level of success in their new work environment, develop a comprehensive program to address the shortfalls in the original language training programs. In response, Global LT developed and delivered their Language Consulting process. This proprietary process was divided into three main areas:
• Student Assessment
• Personalized Course Design
• Measuring Results

Student Assessment
In the past, the student proficiency assessments, if they occurred at all, focused mainly on a brief grammar test and occasionally a short interview in the target language. The assessment gave the student a limited understanding of his/her beginning proficiency level and expected outcomes of the language training. In Global LT’s Language Consulting process, a proficiency evaluation in the target language was only a part of the assessment. Many more factors were taken into account, such as an individual assessment, interview, communication profile and an oral proficiency evaluation, and a discussion of the expected outcomes of the
program following instructions.
• Individual Assessment – Included an understanding of the student’s needs and interests, background in other languages and proficiency for learning language
• Interview – Revealed the student’s availability for instruction and study, unique concerns and specific job responsibilities
• Communication Profile – Scientifically determined the manner in which each student learns most effectively
• Oral Proficiency Evaluation – Tested the student’s ability to speak the language
• Discussion of Goals – Helped students visualize the expected outcomes of language training

The Course
An all-inclusive report showing the results of the Individual Assessment, Interview, Communication Profile, and the Oral Proficiency Evaluation was presented to each individual and division management. Analyzing the
data from this report, Global LT formed small study teams, grouped by student proficiency, and designed a personalized course for each team. Global LT’s language specialists and division management worked together
to devise supporting material, enabling students to better understand and assimilate the Portuguese language structure. Global LT also compiled a list of useful techniques and tools for students to use for self-study.

The Measurement
Global LT provided a bi-weekly summary report, updating the division on the training program.

The Outcome
Global LT helped the OEM’s division successfully reach their language proficiency goals, according to budget and schedule, positively impacting productivity. It was estimated that the Global LT Language Consulting
process enabled workers to achieve peak productivity significantly earlier than would have been possible without the Language Consulting process.

The Benefits
Global LT has provided language instruction to corporations worldwide for over 26 years. We focus on personalized, proficiency-based instruction, helping students learn to talk in the language, not about the language. Learning a foreign language can be a daunting and hard-to-measure challenge; however, with the Global LT proficiency-based approach to learning, students at every level can achieve success.

For more information about how Global LT can fulfill your company needs, please contact us at
888.645.5881